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Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza: A Call to Action

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens as the world looks away. Following massive bombing by Israel in 2014, critical infrastructure and housing are still not rebuilt. The 10-year blockade by Israel and Egypt has trapped Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, resulting in a 40% unemployment rate and shortages of vital electricity, potable water, and heating oil.

Karen Koning AbuZayd was the Commissioner-General for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) from 2005 to 2010. She currently serves on the board of directors of UNRWA USA. Karen will bring us up to date on the situation in Gaza and what UNRWA is doing to help.

Jennifer Bing is the Director of the Palestine-Israel program of the American Friends Service Committee – Chicago. She has visited Gaza twice in the past three years and is working on a new information campaign for AFSC called “Gaza Unlocked.” In addition to her first-hand reporting, Jennifer will discuss bringing Gaza issues to the public and to policy-makers.